Bidding for a request to reserve a service

ABSTRACT

Methods and corresponding system are provided herewith that, in at least one embodiment, include the act or acts of: determining that a service provided by a restaurant is available for bidding. The service is provided for a particular time and a particular date. The methods and system also include receiving a bid for the service provided by the restaurant, in which the bid is associated with a first amount; storing the bid with a plurality of other bids in a storage device; and comparing the bid with at least one other bid that is submitted for reserving the service. The at least one other bid is associated with a second amount. The methods and system also include determining that the first amount is greater than the second amount; and outputting an indicia that grants the request to reserve the service provided by the restaurant to a highest bidder, in which the first amount submitted by the highest bidder is greater than the second amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to at least one embodiment of thesystems disclosed herein; and

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a schedule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following sections I-X provide a guide to interpreting the presentapplication.

I. Terms

The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficientantecedent basis.

The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventionsdisclosed in this application”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “anotherembodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments ofthe disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of theinvention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifiesa plurality of things does not mean “one of each of” the plurality ofthings.

Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbersto indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), meanthe quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at leastthe quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase“one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore thephrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at leaston” is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”.

The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” do not mean“represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words,the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” describes both“the data represents only a credit card number” and “the data representsa credit card number and the data also represents something else”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when theterm “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that theterm “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations ofthe claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

The term “e.g.” and like terms mean “for example”, and thus does notlimit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “thecomputer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over theInternet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are an exampleof “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and alsoexplains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that thecomputer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “adata structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides“instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

The term “respective” and like terms mean “taken individually”. Thus iftwo or more things have “respective” characteristics, then each suchthing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics can bedifferent from each other but need not be. For example, the phrase “eachof two machines has a respective function” means that the first suchmachine has a function and the second such machine has a function aswell. The function of the first machine may or may not be the same asthe function of the second machine.

The term “i.e.” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the termor phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sendsdata (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explainsthat “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over theInternet.

Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numberswithin the range. For example, the range “1 to 10” shall be interpretedto specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3,4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).

Where two or more terms or phrases are synonymous (e.g., because of anexplicit statement that the terms or phrases are synonymous), instancesof one such term/phrase does not mean instances of another suchterm/phrase must have a different meaning. For example, where astatement renders the meaning of “including” to be synonymous with“including but not limited to”, the mere usage of the phrase “includingbut not limited to” does not mean that the term “including” meanssomething other than “including but not limited to”.

II. Determining

The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., todetermine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meetsa certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term“determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore“determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving,investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database oranother data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining”can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” caninclude resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision,and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating,predicting, guessing and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing mustbe performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used,and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must beused. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform thedetermining.

III. Forms of Sentences

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature,and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of thefeature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than onewidget).

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a“first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a“second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any otherrelationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate anyother characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mereusage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term“widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or afterany other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widgetoccurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does notindicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as inimportance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbersdoes not define a numerical limit to the features identified with theordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers“first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate thatthere must be no more than two widgets.

When a single device, article or other product is described herein, morethan one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) mayalternatively be used in place of the single device/article that isdescribed. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as beingpossessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than onedevice/article (whether or not they cooperate).

Similarly, where more than one device, article or other product isdescribed herein (whether or not they cooperate), a singledevice/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than onedevice or article that is described. For example, a plurality ofcomputer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-baseddevice. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described asbeing possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively bepossessed by a single device/article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include thedescribed device itself, but rather can include the one or more otherdevices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality/features.

IV. Disclosed Examples and Terminology are Not Limiting

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thepresent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thepresent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scopeof the disclosed invention(s). An Abstract has been included in thisapplication merely because an Abstract of not more than 150 words isrequired under 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).

The title of the present application and headings of sections providedin the present application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presentlydisclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, asis readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features ofthe disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understoodthat such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they aredescribed, unless expressly specified otherwise.

No embodiment of method steps or product elements described in thepresent application constitutes the invention claimed herein, or isessential to the invention claimed herein, or is coextensive with theinvention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated tobe so in this specification or expressly recited in a claim.

The preambles of the claims that follow recite purposes, benefits andpossible uses of the claimed invention only and do not limit the claimedinvention.

The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodimentsof the invention(s). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing offeatures of the invention(s) which must be present in all embodiments.

Devices that are described as in communication with each other need notbe in continuous communication with each other, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit toeach other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at atime). In addition, devices that are in communication with each othermay communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components/features are required.On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, nocomponent/feature is essential or required.

Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described orclaimed in a particular sequential order, such processes may beconfigured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence ororder of steps that may be explicitly described or claimed does notnecessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in thatorder. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in anyorder possible. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneouslydespite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously(e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover,the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does notimply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations andmodifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process orany of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not implythat the illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all ofthe described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a process may be described singly or without reference to otherproducts or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact withother products or methods. For example, such interaction may includelinking one business model to another business model. Such interactionmay be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of theprocess.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred,essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of thedescribed invention(s) include other products that omit some or all ofthe described plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other orreadily substituted for each other.

All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention orany embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.

V. Computing

It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purposecomputers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one ormore microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digitalsignal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory orlike device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one ormore processes defined by those instructions. Instructions may beembodied in, e.g., a computer program.

A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, or like devices or any combination thereof.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of anapparatus for performing the process. The apparatus that performs theprocess can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices andoutput devices that are appropriate to perform the process.

Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types ofdata) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g.,computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments,hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or incombination with, some or all of the software instructions that canimplement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, variouscombinations of hardware and software may be used instead of softwareonly.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium, a plurality ofthe same, or a combination of different media, that participate inproviding data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be readby a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes themain memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled tothe processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generatedduring radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM,an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrierwave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computercan read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingdata (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, datamay be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over awireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmittedaccording to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet(or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G;and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of avariety of ways well known in the art.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of acomputer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process.The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) thoseprogram elements which are appropriate to perform the method.

Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicatethat all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatusinclude a computer/computing device operable to perform some (but notnecessarily all) of the described process.

Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does notindicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of acomputer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include acomputer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, cancause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of thedescribed process.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such adatabase.

Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication (e.g., via acommunications network) with one or more devices. The computer maycommunicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired orwireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, atelephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communicationsline, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, asatellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Eachof the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computingdevices, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® or Centrino™processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any numberand type of devices may be in communication with the computer.

In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not benecessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in anembodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a centralauthority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein asperformed by the server computer or data described as stored on theserver computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or moresuch devices.

Where a process is described, in an embodiment the process may operatewithout any user intervention. In another embodiment, the processincludes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or withthe assistance of a human).

VI. Continuing Applications

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication.

Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursue patents forsubject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed inthe present application.

VII. 35 U.S.C. §112, Paragraph 6

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase “meansfor” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6,applies to that limitation.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase“means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whetherthat limitation recites a function without recitation of structure,material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim,the mere use of the phrase “step of” or the phrase “steps of” inreferring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does notmean that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, the correspondingstructure, material or acts described in the specification, andequivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as thespecified function.

Computers, processors, computing devices and like products arestructures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such productscan be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or moreprograms, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product orin a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expresslyspecified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particularalgorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed inthe present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art that a specified function may be implemented via differentalgorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a meredesign choice for carrying out the specified function.

Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specifiedfunction in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, structurecorresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed toperform the specified function. Such structure includes programmedproducts which perform the function, regardless of whether such productis programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing thefunction, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or(iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

Where there is recited a means for performing a function hat is amethod, one structure for performing this method includes a computingdevice (e.g., a general purpose computer) that is programmed and/orconfigured with appropriate hardware to perform that function.

Also includes a computing device (e.g., a general purpose computer) thatis programmed and/or configured with appropriate hardware to performthat function via other algorithms as would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

VIII. Disclaimer

Numerous references to a particular embodiment does not indicate adisclaimer or disavowal of additional, different embodiments, andsimilarly references to the description of embodiments which all includea particular feature does not indicate a disclaimer or disavowal ofembodiments which do not include that particular feature. A cleardisclaimer or disavowal in the present application shall be prefaced bythe phrase “does not include” or by the phrase “cannot perform”.

IX. Incorporation by Reference

Any patent, patent application or other document referred to herein isincorporated by reference into this patent application as part of thepresent disclosure, but only for purposes of written description inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 1 and enablement in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 1, and should in no way be used to limit,define, or otherwise construe any term of the present application wherethe present application, without such incorporation by reference, wouldnot have failed to provide an ascertainable meaning, but rather wouldhave allowed an ascertainable meaning for such term to be provided.Thus, the person of ordinary skill in the art need not have been in anyway limited by any embodiments provided in the reference.

Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself, imply anyendorsement of, ratification of or acquiescence in any statements,opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in any incorporatedpatent, patent application or other document, unless explicitlyspecified otherwise in this patent application.

X. Prosecution History

In interpreting the present application (which includes the claims), oneof ordinary skill in the art shall refer to the prosecution history ofthe present application, but not to the prosecution history of any otherpatent or patent application, regardless of whether there are otherpatent applications that are considered related to the presentapplication, and regardless of whether there are other patentapplications that share a claim of priority with the presentapplication.

XI. Overview of Various Embodiments

Embodiments include systems and methods that permit the reservation ofvarious dining services provided by a restaurant via interconnectedcomputer networks. The term “customer” should be interpreted broadly toinclude any user of the system, such as an actual patron and an agentordering on behalf of another entity.

Some dining services may include reserving a seat at a table in arestaurant, providing consumable menu items to customers dining in therestaurant's facilities, delivering menu-items to a customer's location,or preparing menu items that are available for pick-up at therestaurant's location. Each of these dining options may be reserved fora particular date and a particular time of day.

a. Hardware of the System

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100, according to at least one embodimentof the systems disclosed herein, includes at least one computing device,such as a remote computer 102 (e.g., a server computer), a clientcomputer 104, or a combination thereof. The term remote in this contextmerely means that the remote computer 102 and at least one of the clientcomputers 104 are separate devices. Thus, the devices may be remote evenif they are located within the same room. In at least one embodiment,the system includes at least one remote computer 102 that is connectedover a communication network 106 to one or a plurality of clientcomputers 104. One or more of the client computers 104 may be connectedto the remote computer 102 through a firewall. In another embodiment, atleast one remote computer 102 is connected over a communication network106 to at least one other remote computer 108.

The system 100 may be implemented over any type of communicationsnetwork 106, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), the Internet, a telephone network (POTS), a wireless network,including cellular, WiFi, and WiMax networks, or a combination of wiredand/or wireless networks. In certain instances, the communicationsnetwork 106 may be independent of the Internet or limited with respectto the type of the information transmitted over the Internet, such as toinformation that poses little or no security risk if misappropriated orthat has been encrypted.

In the networked embodiment, client computers 104 are preferablyconfigured or otherwise capable of transmitting and/or receivingcommunications to and/or from the remote computer(s) 102, 108. Theremote computers 102, 108 may similarly be configured or otherwisecapable of transmitting and/or receiving communications betweenthemselves. This may be accomplished with a communication element, suchas a modem, an Ethernet interface, a transmitter/receiver, etc., thatenables communication with a similarly equipped remote computer 102, 108wirelessly, wired, or a combination thereof. It is understood that therelative functionality described herein may be provided by the remotecomputers 102, 108, by the client computers 104, or both, and is thusnot limited to any particular one of the implementations discussedherein. In at least one embodiment, the client computers 104 willgenerally provide the front-end functionality and the remote computer102, 108 will provide the back-end functionality.

The computing device, e.g., the client computers 104 and/or the remotecomputer 102, 108 generally include at least one processor, and amemory, such as ROM, RAM, FLASH, etc., including computer readablemedium type memory, such as a hard drive, a flash-drive, an optical ormagnetic disk, etc. The memory or computer readable medium preferablyincludes software stored thereon that when executed performs one or moresteps of the methods disclosed herein, including communicating data andcommands back and forth between the computers, displaying interfacescreens, etc. The computers may also be associated with or have accessto one or more databases 110, 112 for retrieving and/or storing thevarious types of data discussed herein, including identity verificationdata, such as an ID and password, biometric data, etc.

The client computers 104 may include, without limitation, a mobilephone, PDA, pocket PC, personal computer, as well as any special orother general purpose computing device. As such, the client computer 104preferably includes a processor, a memory, a display, such as a CRT oran LCD monitor, for displaying information and/or graphics associatedwith the functionality provided by the system 100, and at least oneinput device, such as a mouse, a touch-sensitive pad, a pointer, astylus, a trackball, a button or a plurality of buttons, e.g.,alphanumeric, a scroll wheel, a touch-sensitive monitor, etc., or acombination thereof, for users to enter commands and/or informationrelevant to the system's functionality. With the general purpose type ofclient computer 104, such as the PC or PDA, users may access thefunctionality provided by the system 100 with a browser application orany other generic application, or with special purpose software designedspecifically for accessing the functionality disclosed herein.

In at least one embodiment, the client computer 104 includes or isotherwise associated with at least one biometric sensor 114. Thebiometric sensor 114 is any device that is used to determine directlyfrom the user at least one item of biometric data associated with auser, such as a fingerprint reader, an iris scanner, a retinal scanner,a vascular pattern reader, a facial recognition camera, etc. Thebiometric sensor 114 may be embodied in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. The biometric sensor 114 may further shareresources with other components of the client computer 104, such as theprocessor, memory, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, etc. A singlebiometric sensor 114 may be used for reading more than one type ofbiometric data. For example, a digital camera may be used to obtain animage of the user's eye for iris scanning and an image of the user'sface for facial recognition. In this instance, a single image capture ofthe user's face may provide the data for facial recognition as well asdata for iris or retinal comparisons.

The biometric data is generally obtained with the biometric sensor 114and used at least to authenticate the identity of the user as a gatewayfor allowing the user to access the system's functionality. In thisregard, biometric data may be compared with previously obtained/storedbiometric data that has preferably been verified as being associatedwith a particular user and access to the system's functionality may beprovided based on a positive match thereof.

b. Managing a Schedule of Actual and Virtual Tables

According to at least one embodiment of the methods and systemsdisclosed herein, a customer can reserve (e.g., in advance) varioustypes of dining services provided by a restaurant. The reservations mayinclude reserving a seat at a table in the restaurant for a particulardate and time. The reservation also may include scheduling a time forthe pick-up or delivery of consumable goods offered by the restaurant.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in one embodiment, a schedule 200 that can be usedfor scheduling the different types of reservations. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the schedule 200 can track the availability of “actual tables”,which represent the seating that is available in the restaurant'son-site dining area. The schedule 200 also can track the availability of“virtual tables,” which represent a restaurant's availability to providecarry-out services. Although the embodiments described below discuss theuse of virtual tables to manage a restaurant's carry-out services, avirtual table is equally applicable in the context of delivery services,or any dining services provided by the restaurant that extends beyondon-site dining. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2,the schedule 200 treats a virtual table in the same manner as an actualtable. Customers can make a reservation for a particular time and aparticular date at a virtual table (as they can for an actual table). Insome embodiments, the customers may place orders for consumable menuitems at the same time that they make a reservation for a virtual table.In such instances, the restaurant may prepare the menu items in advance,so that they are available for pick-up at the reserved time.

In other embodiments, customers may not include an order for menu itemswith their reservations. Instead, they may arrive at the restaurantduring the reservation date and time, and they may order items off themenu while at the restaurant. In such instances, the restaurant preparesthe menu items in the order of receipt.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, schedule 200 depicts the restaurant ashaving four physical tables available for on-site dining. These fourphysical tables are represented on the schedule 200 as columns 202-208(e.g., Tables 1-4). Each of the table columns 202-208 is divided intoincrements of time 210-232 (e.g., hourly increments) for a particulardate 234 (e.g., Monday). These increments of time will be referred to,henceforth, as “time slots” 210-232, which can be updated (e.g., inreal-time) to reflect their status (e.g., reserved, open, notavailable).

Furthermore, FIG. 2 also depicts the restaurant as having two virtualtables (which are represented in FIG. 2 as columns 236, 238), which areavailable for servicing the restaurant's carry-out dining services.

The integration of virtual tables into the schedule 200 can help arestaurant manage its carry-out service. In some embodiments, arestaurant may customize the quantity of virtual tables made availablein accordance to business needs. For example, a restaurant mayexperience a high volume of on-site diners during the lunch-time rushhour. As such, the restaurant may want to eliminate carry-out diningservices from the schedule 200 during this busy time, so that it canconcentrate on servicing the on-site customers. To do so, the restaurantmay change the status of its virtual tables to “unavailable” during thebusy lunch hour.

In another embodiment, a restaurant may want to reduce, but noteliminate, its carry-out dining services for a period of time. In thisembodiment, the restaurant may change the status of some of the virtualtables to “unavailable”, but leave the status of other virtual tables as“available”.

In another embodiment, a restaurant may want to increase its carry-outdining services during the periods of time when on-site diningexperience a lull. For example, a restaurant may experience a low volumeof on-site dining customers during the late evening hours, whilesimultaneously experience a surge in carry-out requests. As such, in oneembodiment, the restaurant may add one or more virtual tables to theschedule 200 in order to service the increased number of carry-outrequests. In another embodiment, the restaurant converts one or more ofthe actual tables on the schedule 100 into virtual tables in order toaccommodate the shift in business needs.

c. Automated Managing of the Schedule

The embodiments described above provide examples of a restaurantmanaging, sua sponte, a schedule 200 in accordance to its businessneeds. However, in at least one embodiment, the schedule 200 may bestructured or programmed to automatically adjust the ratio of actualtables to virtual tables in accordance to various rules and thresholdrequirements.

In some situations, the restaurant may provide a set of rules, whichdetermine the quantity of virtual tables made available on the schedule200. One example of a rule may be a threshold that measures the on-sitedining capacity of the restaurant. For instance, a restaurant may decidethat it does not wish to provide carry-out services whenevereighty-percent of the on-site dining facilities have been reserved. Inthis instance, as soon as eighty-percent of the on-site diningfacilities have been reserved for a particular time-slot, then thestatus of the virtual tables associated with that time-slot will bechanged to “unavailable.”

In one embodiment, the quantity of actual tables may differ for variousdays of the week. For example, in one embodiment, the rule may structurethe schedule 200 have more on-site tables (and less virtual tables)available on the weekends than on the weekdays. In another embodiment,the quantity of actual table may differ for various times of the day.For example, in another embodiment, the rule may structure the schedule200 to have more on-site tables (and less virtual tables) availableduring the lunch-time and dinner-time rush hours.

In another embodiment, a sliding-scale relationship may exist betweenthe actual tables and the virtual tables. In this embodiment, each timea reservation is made either for an actual table or a virtual table, theschedule automatically adjusts the status of the remaining actual andvirtual tables.

d. Generating a Restaurant Profile

In some embodiments, a customer who desires to make a reservation for adining service at a restaurant will search through a database ofrestaurant profiles. The restaurant profiles may include, among otherthings, a description of the restaurant, a menu of the consumable itemsoffered by the restaurant, a price list associated with each consumableitem, an evaluation of the restaurant by former customers, and aschedule (which may be updated in real-time) that depicts theavailability of the actual tables and virtual tables.

In order to generate a restaurant profile, a restaurant, in someembodiments, may submit information, via a network, to a server thathouses the reservation system. Some examples of preliminary informationmay include the type of cuisine served by the restaurant, the prices ofmenu items, acceptable forms of payment, the restaurant's contactinformation and address, the quantity of actual tables on the on-sitedining premises. The restaurant also can submit a menu, which contains alist of consumable goods offered by the restaurant. The menu also mayinclude a description of the consumable goods offered and thecorresponding prices for each consumable good. In addition, a restaurantcan submit a reservation schedule that depicts the quantity of actualtables and the quantity of virtual tables that are available for eachtime slot. In some embodiments, the restaurant can add multi-mediaelements (e.g., pictures, videos, sound clips, web blogs, promotions,etc.) to the restaurant profile.

After receiving and confirming the information, the reservation systemgenerates a restaurant profile, which stores the individualized datainformation (e.g., reservation schedule, menu of food items, price list)for each participating restaurant.

In one embodiment, the profile updates automatically (e.g., inreal-time) whenever the restaurant modifies the contents of itsrestaurant profile (e.g., removes a menu item, removes a virtual table).In another embodiment, the restaurant may log into the reservationsystem and modify the contents of its restaurant profile in order toupdate the profile with recent changes.

The generated profile can be saved into a database. In some embodiments,the profiles may be categorized into searchable categories (e.g., typeof cuisine, location of the restaurant, price ranges). Thus, a potentialcustomer may search these categories in order to find a particularrestaurant from which to place an order request. For example, a customermay search the database for Japanese restaurants with entrees costingbetween $30-50.

In some embodiments, the location of a restaurant is mapped in relationto a customer's address, so that a customer may search for a restaurantlocated within a radial-distance (e.g., 5 miles) from the customer'slocation.

e. Requesting a Reservation

After a customer has selected a restaurant from the database, thereservation system may receive a request to reserve submitted by thecustomer. In the request, the customer may indicate, among other things,the restaurant at which she desires to obtain dining services and thetype of dining service desired (e.g., on-site dining, carry-outservices, delivery services, etc.).

In the request, the customer also may indicate the type of table desired(e.g., actual table or a virtual table), as well as the particular dateand time from which she wishes to make the reservation. In someembodiments, the customer does not indicate the type of table, since thesystem automatically corresponds the type of dining service requestedwith the type of table.

In some embodiments, the customer can view a restaurant's schedule inorder to know (e.g., in advance of submitting a request to reserve)which time slots are available. In other embodiments, the customer donot see a restaurant's schedule; instead, the system presents thecustomer with the available times and dates from which the customer mayselect.

After the customer submits a request to reserve a dining service for aparticular time and date, the reservation may confirm whether therequested time and date are available for the restaurant's schedule. Thesystem may send a message to the customer either confirming or denyingthe requested reservation time.

If the reservation determines that the requested time and date are notavailable for reservation, then in some embodiments, the customer maymodify the original request to reserve and submit a new request. Thisnew request may include: a different restaurant, a different time slot,and/or a different date. In other embodiments, the system can permitcustomers to bid for a particular reservation time. This bidding processis detailed below.

However, if a customer successfully secures a reservation for a virtualtable, then the system may prompt the customer to submit a menu orderwith that reservation. A menu order may include, among other things,items from the menu that the customer wishes to order, the quantity ofeach menu item, and any special instructions for the preparation of themenu items (e.g., low-sodium, salad dressing on the side, medium-rarecooking).

After the customer submits (and the system receives) the menu order, thesystem calculates the total cost of the items. The customer may pay forthe total amount using any number of payment methods (e.g., on-linepayment through the system via a credit card, paying by any monetarymeans upon picking up the menu items.)

The system can forward the selected menu items to the restaurant, sothat the restaurant can prepare the menu items (e.g., in advance) sothat they are available for pick-up by the customer at the reserved timeand date.

f. Bidding Function

In some embodiments, a reservation made by a customer may remainunconfirmed for a term, or period of time. For example, the reservationmay remain confirmed (and thus subject to bidding) until 24-hours beforethe reserved time-slot. During the term, one or more other customersinterested in the same reservation time may participate in an auctionfor the reservation time.

In one embodiment, the system may contact a customer with theunconfirmed reservation to inform the customer that another party wishesto bid for the same time slot. The system may indicate a location andtime in which the bidding processes takes place. Both customers may loginto the system during the prescribed time frame and bid for the timeslot.

In one embodiment, a website can solicit bids from interested parties.At the expiration of the term, the system can compare all of thesubmitted bids to determine which customer submitted the bid with thehighest amount. In this embodiment, the customer who submitted the bidwith the highest amount is awarded the reservation time, and the bidamount is charged as a reservation fee.

In another embodiment, interested parties e-mail their bids to thereservation system. The system may alert a customer if a previouslysubmitted bid has been superseded by another bid. In response, thecustomer may submit a counter-bid in an amount that is greater than theother bids. At the expiration of the term, the system awards thereservation time to the bidder who submitted the bid with the highestamount.

In some embodiments, a customer may opt to pay a premium fee (e.g.,generally of a large amount) in order to secure a particular reservationtime. In this embodiment, the premium fee may represent a reservationfee that is paid in advance in order to prevent anyone else from biddingfor the reservation time. For example, a customer may wish to take animportant client to a popular restaurant in town. As such, the customerplaces a premium on having a guaranteed reservation, and as such, thecustomer may be willing to pay the premium fee to ensure that thereservation time is guaranteed.

In other embodiments, the system may not charge a customer with areservation fee in the event that no other parties bid for the reservedtime slot. Conversely, the customer may risk having to pay a reservationfee that is higher than the premium amount, in the event that thebidding process escalates to a high amount.

In some embodiments, the system also may participate in a reversebidding process, where a customer may indicate a desire to dine at aparticular date and time. The customer may have no preference as towhich restaurant, but she may specify the type of cuisines or priceranges. Various restaurants may compete for the business by offering thecustomer promotions or discounts, or any other offers for attracting thebusiness.

g. Additional Embodiments

A. A method comprising: determining that a service provided by arestaurant is available for bidding, in which the service is providedfor a particular time and a particular date; receiving a bid for theservice provided by the restaurant, in which the bid is associated witha first amount; storing the bid with a plurality of other bids in astorage device; comparing the bid with at least one other bid that issubmitted for reserving the service, in which the at least one other bidis associated with a second amount; determining that the first amount isgreater than the second amount; outputting an indicia that grants therequest to reserve the service provided by the restaurant to a highestbidder, in which the first amount submitted by the highest bidder isgreater than the second amount.

The method of paragraph claim A, in which the service provided by therestaurant comprises at least one of: preparing a consumable good thatis consumed at the restaurant's location; preparing a consumable goodthat is received at the restaurant's location; or preparing a consumablegood that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant'slocation.

The method of paragraph claim A, in which the bidding is available for aperiod of time, in which bids received after the period of item arerejected.

The method of paragraph claim A, in which receiving the bid for theservice further comprising: outputting an indicia of the bid to acustomer, in which the customer previously reserved the service providedby the restaurant.

The method of paragraph claim A, in which the first and second amountsrepresent an amount that is charged for reserving the service.

The method of paragraph claim A, in which the restaurant is associatedwith information that comprises: (i) a schedule indicating therestaurant's ability to provide at least one service for a plurality ofperiods of time; and (ii) a description of a consumable good that isoffered by the restaurant; (iii) a price associated with the consumablegood; and (iv) an evaluation of the restaurant, in which the evaluationcomprises at least one opinion of a previous customer.

The method of paragraph claim A further comprises: receiving a requestto reserve the service; comparing the particular time requested with aschedule associated with the restaurant, in which the schedule comprisesa list of times that are available for reservation; and outputting anindicia that the request to reserve the service has been denied.

B. A method comprising: receiving a bid for a service provided by arestaurant, in which the service is provided for a particular time and aparticular date; determining that the service provided by the restaurantis unavailable for bidding, in which the bidding is available for aperiod of time; outputting an indicia that denies the request to reservethe service.

The method of paragraph claim B, in which the service provided by therestaurant comprises at least one of: preparing a consumable good thatis consumed at the restaurant's location; preparing a consumable goodthat is received at the restaurant's location; or preparing a consumablegood that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant'slocation.

The method of paragraph claim B, in which bids received after the periodof item are rejected.

The method of paragraph claim B, in which determining that the serviceis unavailable for bidding comprises: determining that the period oftime has expired.

The method of paragraph claim B, in which determining that the serviceis unavailable for bidding comprises: receiving a premium fee associatedwith the particular time requested, in which the premium fee preventsbidding for the particular time.

C. A storage medium containing machine instructions readable by acomputer system that includes a data store to configure the computersystem to perform: determining that a service provided by a restaurantis available for bidding, in which the service is provided for aparticular time and a particular date; receiving a bid for the serviceprovided by the restaurant, in which the bid is associated with a firstamount; storing the bid with a plurality of other bids in a storagedevice; comparing the bid with at least one other bid that is submittedfor reserving the service, in which the at least one other bid isassociated with a second amount; determining that the first amount isgreater than the second amount; outputting an indicia that grants therequest to reserve the service provided by the restaurant to a highestbidder, in which the first amount submitted by the highest bidder isgreater than the second amount.

The computer system of claim C, in which the service provided by therestaurant comprises at least one of: preparing a consumable good thatis consumed at the restaurant's location; preparing a consumable goodthat is received at the restaurant's location; or preparing a consumablegood that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant'slocation.

The computer system of claim C, in which the bidding is available for aperiod of time, in which bids received after the period of item arerejected.

The computer system of claim C, in which receiving the bid for theservice further comprising: outputting an indicia of the bid to acustomer, in which the customer previously reserved the service providedby the resturant.

The computer system of paragraph claim C, in which the first and secondamounts represent an amount that is charged for reserving the service.

The computer system of claim C, in which the restaurant is associatedwith information that comprises: (i) a schedule indicating therestaurant's ability to provide at least one service for a plurality ofperiods of time: and (ii) a description of a consumable good that isoffered by the restaurant: (iii) a price associated with the consumablegood; and (iv) an evaluation of the restaurant, in which the evaluationcomprises at least one opinion of a previous customer.

The computer system of claim C configured to perform: receiving arequest to reserve the service: comparing the particular time requestedwith a schedule associated with the restaurant, in which the schedulecomprises a list of times that are available for reservation; andoutputting an indicia that the request to reserve the service has beendenied.

D. A storage medium containing machine instructions readable by acomputer system that includes a data store to configure the computersystem to perform: receiving a bid for a service provided by arestaurant, in which the service is provided for a particular time and aparticular date: determining that the service provided by the restaurantis unavailable for bidding, in which the bidding is available for aperiod of time; outputting an indicia that denies the request to reservethe service.

The computer system of claim D, in which the service provided by therestaurant comprises at least one of: preparing a consumable good thatis consumed at the restaurant's location; preparing a consumable goodthat is received at the restaurant's location; or preparing a consumablegood that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant'slocation.

The computer system of claim D, in which bids received after the periodof item are rejected.

The computer system claim D, in which determining that the service isunavailable for bidding comprises: determining that the period of timehas expired.

The computer system of paragraph claim D, in which determining that theservice is unavailable for bidding comprises: receiving a premium feeassociated with the particular time requested, in which the premium feeprevents bidding for the particular time.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: generating, via a processor, aschedule for a reservation system that comprises: a plurality of actualtable slots, in which each time table slot corresponds to a reservationtime for dine-in service at a restaurant; and a plurality of virtualtable slots, in which each virtual table slot corresponds to areservation time for one of: a take-out service and a delivery serviceof a consumable good; generating, via a processor based on a ratio ofactual table slots to virtual table slots, a quantity of actual tableslots and a quantity of virtual table slots, in which an operator of therestaurant or of the reservation system is provided with an opportunityto change the ratio to accommodate an anticipated number of customers ata time of day; receiving, via the processor, a bid for a virtual tableslot at a specified time of day, in which the bid comprises a bidamount, and in which the virtual table slot is for a delivery service;computing, via a processor based on the quantity of virtual table slotsavailable at the bid's specified time of day, that the restaurant isable to process the virtual table slot for the delivery service at thebid's specified time of day; computing, via the processor, afterexpiration of an auction period, that the bid has won the virtual tableslot for the delivery service; and transmitting, via a processor to aremote device, an indication that the virtual table slot for thedelivery service has been awarded to a bidder of the bid, in which theremote device and the processor are in electronic communication over anetwork.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: updating theschedule to indicate that the virtual table slot at the bid's specifiedtime of day has been reserved by the bidder.
 3. The method of claim 1,in which determining that the bid has won the reservation comprises:computing, after the auction period, that the received bid amount isgreater than any other bid amount received during the auction period. 4.The method of claim 1, in which computing that the bid has won thereservation time comprises: prioritizing the bidder's bid in response tothe reservation system receiving a premium fee from the bidder that,under a rule of the reservation system, provides priority to thatbidder's bids relative to competing bids for a same virtual time slot oractual table slot.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:updating, in response to receiving the premium fee, the schedule toindicate that the virtual time slot is not available for bidding byother bidders.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving abid for a second virtual table slot at the bid's specified time of day;computing, based on the quantity of virtual table slots available at thebid's specified time of day, that the restaurant is unable to accept thebid for the second virtual table slot; and transmitting a denial of therequest for the second virtual table slot.
 7. The method of claim 6further comprising: computing that a quantity of denials for the bid'sspecified time of day has exceeded an amount that is selected by theoperator of the restaurant or the reservation system; and adjusting,based on the quantity of denials exceeding the amount, the ratio ofactual table slots to the virtual table slots for the bid's specifiedtime of day.
 8. The method of claim 7, in which adjusting the ratio ofactual table slots to virtual table slots comprises: increasing thequantity of virtual table slots for the bid's specified time of day. 9.The method of claim 7, in which adjusting the ratio of actual tableslots to virtual table slots comprises: decreasing the quantity ofactual table slots for the bid's specified time of day; or increasingthe quantity of virtual table slots for the bid's specified time of day.10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving, beforeexpiration of the auction period, a second bid for the virtual timeslot, in which the second bid comprises a second bid amount that isgreater than the bid amount; and transmitting to the remote device anindication that the second bid amount is greater than the bid amount.11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: receiving, in response tothe indication that the second bid amount is greater than the bidamount, an updated bid amount for the bid, in which the updated bidamount is greater than the second bid amount.
 12. An apparatuscomprising: a processor; and a memory, in which the memory storesinstructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processorto: generate a schedule for a reservation system that comprises: aplurality of actual table slots, in which each actual table slotcorresponds to a reservation time for dine-in service at a restaurant;and a plurality of virtual table slots, in which each virtual table slotcorresponds to a reservation time for one of: a delivery service and atake-out service of a consumable good; generate, based on a ratio ofactual table slots to virtual table slots, a quantity of actual tableslots and a quantity of virtual table slots, in which an operator of therestaurant or of the reservation system is provided with an opportunityto change the ratio in order to accommodate an anticipated number ofcustomers at a time of day; receive, a bid for a virtual table slot at aspecified time of day, in which the bid comprises a bid amount, and inwhich the virtual table slot is for a delivery service; compute, basedon the quantity of virtual table slots available at the bid's specifiedtime of day, that the restaurant is able to process the virtual tableslot for the delivery service at the bid's specified time of day;compute, after expiration of an auction period, that the bid has won thevirtual table slot for the delivery service; and transmit an indicationthat the virtual table slot for the delivery service has been awarded toa bidder of the bid.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, in which the memorystores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct theprocessor to: update the schedule to indicate that the virtual tableslot at the bid's specified time of day has been reserved by the bidder.14. The apparatus of claim 12, in which the memory stores instructionswhich, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to: compute,after the auction period, that the received bid amount is greater thanany other bid amount received during the auction period.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, in which the memory stores instructions which,when executed by the processor, direct the processor to: prioritize thebidder's bid in response to the reservation system receiving a premiumfee from the bidder that, under a rule of the reservation system,provides priority to that bidder's bids relative to competing bids for asame virtual time slot or actual table slot.
 16. The apparatus of claim15, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, direct the processor to: update, in response to receiving thepremium fee, the schedule to indicate that the virtual time slot is notavailable for bidding by other bidders.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12,in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, direct the processor to: receive, before expiration of theauction period, a second bid for the virtual time slot, in which thesecond bid comprises a second bid amount that is greater than the bidamount; and transmit to the remote device an indication that the secondbid amount is greater than the bid amount.
 18. The apparatus of claim17, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, direct the processor to: receive, in response to theindication that the second bid amount is greater than the bid amount, anupdated bid amount for the bid, in which the updated bid amount isgreater than the second bid amount.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, inwhich the memory stores instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, direct the processor: receive, a bid for a second virtualtable slot at the bid's specified time of day; compute, based on thequantity of virtual table slots available at the bid's specified time ofday, that the restaurant is unable to accept the bid for the secondvirtual table slot at the bid's specified time of day; and transmit adenial of the request for the second virtual table slot.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, in which the memory stores instructions which,when executed by the processor, direct the processor to: compute that aquantity of denials for the bid's specified time of day has exceeded anamount that is selected by the operator of the restaurant or thereservation system; adjust, based on the quantity of denials that exceedthe amount, the ratio of actual table slots to virtual table slots forthe bid's specified time of day.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, in whichthe memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor,direct the processor to: increase the quantity of virtual table slotsfor the bid's specified time of day.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, inwhich the memory stores instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, direct the processor to: decrease the quantity of actualtable slots for the bid's specified time of day; or increase thequantity of virtual table slots for the bid's specified time of day. 23.An article of manufacture comprising: a computer-readable medium, inwhich the computer-readable medium is non-transitory and storesinstructions which, when executed by a processor, direct the processorto: generate a schedule for a reservation system that comprises: aplurality of actual table slots, in which each actual table slotcorresponds to a reservation time for dine-in service at a restaurant;and a plurality of virtual table slots, in which each virtual table slotcorresponds to a reservation time for one of: a delivery service and atake-out service of a consumable good; generate, based on a ratio ofactual table slots to virtual table slots, a quantity of actual tableslots and a quantity of virtual table slots, in which an operator of therestaurant or of the reservation system is provided with an opportunityto change the ratio in order to accommodate an anticipated number ofcustomers at a time of day; receive, a bid for a virtual table slot at aspecified time of day, in which the bid comprises a bid amount, and inwhich the virtual table slot is for a delivery service; compute, basedon the quantity of virtual table slots available at the bid's specifiedtime of day, that the restaurant is able to process the virtual tableslot for the delivery service at the bid's specified time of day;compute, after expiration of an auction period, that the bid has won thevirtual table slot for the delivery service; and transmit an indicationthat the virtual table slot for the delivery service has been awarded toa bidder of the bid.